A discussion on social media

With the advent of social media becoming an ever advancing part of our lives, we need to consider the benefits and challenges of utilizing social media in the classroom. While some may view social media as an important component of the educational process and an illustration of how we can incorporate emerging trends into the classroom, other concerns may arise. Issues such as competition between educators and social media for the attention of students may be voiced. Additionally, safety concerns such as confidentiality, privacy and cyber-bullying should be examined.

Through this web-based platform, we are attempting to foster a discussion on the benefits and challenges of utilizing social media in the classroom. From an exploration of background knowledge on the various social media platforms to the potential for use in the classroom, we have designed this website to be a resource for teachers considering the inclusion of social media into their classroom. In addition to providing the contextual understanding of the most prevalent forms of social media, we also provide examples of how these social media platforms could be used in the classroom and a comparison of the benefits of each individual platform. Through the incorporation of research-based practice and an open mind, we hope you find the contents of this website to challenge your own ideas of a traditional classroom model and think about how you might invite some of the issues and techniques described within to your own.

This site was compiled by Courtney Brokamp, Lindsay Corum, John Isberg, Sarah Walsh, and Emily Ward, as the final project for EPS 415: Technology and Educational Reform, Summer 2012, led by Professor Dr. Nicholas Burbules and Co-Instructor Adam Rusch.